Bit of advice re: overheating and HGF please
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm suffering some issues with the good old Rover. It's a 1400K.
For some time I've been suffering coolant loss, like a slow leak, as the header tank goes from full to just above the bottom in just over a week. I've been topping it up in this time with fresh coolant and water.
There's always been a lot of steam coming from the exhaust, even after a long trip, there is still lots of steam coming out.
Today, the temperature gauge decided that it would go mental on me. At 55mph or below, the temperature was reading normal. It would slowly climb towards just off the red zone on the way up to 75mph. I noticed it at a fast cruise and immediately slowed to keep the temp reasonably low. The coolant was topped up this morning, so the level isn't low.
Otherwise, there's no obvious oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil (no mayo) and the car seems to perform as normal. There are no idle issues or running issues or misfires.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking it needs a pressure test/hydrocarbon test to rule out HGF, then I can have someone investigate the coolant system to check properly.
Thanks in advance...
If this would be better in the Rover/MG section, someone feel free to move it.
I'm suffering some issues with the good old Rover. It's a 1400K.
For some time I've been suffering coolant loss, like a slow leak, as the header tank goes from full to just above the bottom in just over a week. I've been topping it up in this time with fresh coolant and water.
There's always been a lot of steam coming from the exhaust, even after a long trip, there is still lots of steam coming out.
Today, the temperature gauge decided that it would go mental on me. At 55mph or below, the temperature was reading normal. It would slowly climb towards just off the red zone on the way up to 75mph. I noticed it at a fast cruise and immediately slowed to keep the temp reasonably low. The coolant was topped up this morning, so the level isn't low.
Otherwise, there's no obvious oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil (no mayo) and the car seems to perform as normal. There are no idle issues or running issues or misfires.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking it needs a pressure test/hydrocarbon test to rule out HGF, then I can have someone investigate the coolant system to check properly.
Thanks in advance...
If this would be better in the Rover/MG section, someone feel free to move it.
Loss of coolant. List of options
1. Leak in one of the coolant pipes or joins
2. Leak in the radiator
In 1 or 2 evidence should be quite clear.
3. The expansion tank cap the pressurised cap could be faulty and not pressurising the system therefore the coolant is boiling at too low a temp as such coolant is being lost through the cap. Easy way to test put it in a saucepan of cold water valve should be closed warm up the water (taking note of the temp on the cap) using a temp guage you should see it open at that temp. If it's always open it's had it.
4. Water in the oil however losing c500ml-1ltr a week would mean Mayo in the oil filler cap HGF between water ways and oil ways
5. HGF between waterways and one or more cylinder as such the water is being pumped into the cylinder and burnt off. This would explain why on a normal temp day long after any condensation is cleared from the exhaust. When you rev it in neutral car static and up to temps how much steam comes out??
6. Take out all 4 spark plugs that may help add even more confirmation to which cylinder is having the HGF
Things to thibk about.
1. HGF is a £400 job to do but may well need head and block skimming so add in some more for that. Then there is an upgrade which is required which will prevent this from reoccurring
2. You may have accidently ran it too hot and may have created a hot spot in the bore- this would cause the piston to "pickup" and ruin the engine ie piston would melt. Very difficult to see and impossible to know how bad it is.
3. If there may have been an airlock due to such usage so you nay think it hasn't overheated but it may UAE and hotshots created as such engine is junk.
What's the car worth? It's that sort of time I'm afraid.
You could keep on doing what You are doing
Part x time possibly
1. Leak in one of the coolant pipes or joins
2. Leak in the radiator
In 1 or 2 evidence should be quite clear.
3. The expansion tank cap the pressurised cap could be faulty and not pressurising the system therefore the coolant is boiling at too low a temp as such coolant is being lost through the cap. Easy way to test put it in a saucepan of cold water valve should be closed warm up the water (taking note of the temp on the cap) using a temp guage you should see it open at that temp. If it's always open it's had it.
4. Water in the oil however losing c500ml-1ltr a week would mean Mayo in the oil filler cap HGF between water ways and oil ways
5. HGF between waterways and one or more cylinder as such the water is being pumped into the cylinder and burnt off. This would explain why on a normal temp day long after any condensation is cleared from the exhaust. When you rev it in neutral car static and up to temps how much steam comes out??
6. Take out all 4 spark plugs that may help add even more confirmation to which cylinder is having the HGF
Things to thibk about.
1. HGF is a £400 job to do but may well need head and block skimming so add in some more for that. Then there is an upgrade which is required which will prevent this from reoccurring
2. You may have accidently ran it too hot and may have created a hot spot in the bore- this would cause the piston to "pickup" and ruin the engine ie piston would melt. Very difficult to see and impossible to know how bad it is.
3. If there may have been an airlock due to such usage so you nay think it hasn't overheated but it may UAE and hotshots created as such engine is junk.
What's the car worth? It's that sort of time I'm afraid.
You could keep on doing what You are doing
Part x time possibly
Well.. it's a 1999 400iS on 94k. So not worth a great deal. I put a new clutch in it a while back, and it's just gone through an MOT for the price of two more orange light bulbs. Just taxed too.
I bought it for just under £600 from a dealer, so I'd be guessing it isn't worth a great deal...
You may be right.
When it's up to temp and static. At idle, a noticeable amount of steam comes out. In that I can see it in mirrors. When I rev it, more steam comes out, like it's still putting out steam due to condensation.
HGF replacement around me seems to be a 2-300£ job. Either with an MG-R.org recommended mobile mechanic or a local MGR specialist.
I bought it for just under £600 from a dealer, so I'd be guessing it isn't worth a great deal...
You may be right.
When it's up to temp and static. At idle, a noticeable amount of steam comes out. In that I can see it in mirrors. When I rev it, more steam comes out, like it's still putting out steam due to condensation.
HGF replacement around me seems to be a 2-300£ job. Either with an MG-R.org recommended mobile mechanic or a local MGR specialist.
Edited by hardcorehobbit on Wednesday 21st December 23:02
If you do it now before the HG capitulates completely and puts oil into the water, it won't be too bad. Leave it any longer and it will never be the same again; trying to get rid of oil from the waterways of a 'K' series is not cheap, or fun. New radiators are expensive!
Someone who knows what they're doing should be able to fix it for c.£350 at current rates I would have thought.
Someone who knows what they're doing should be able to fix it for c.£350 at current rates I would have thought.
hardcorehobbit said:
Thanks for the advice guys. I think I found that thread, it doesn't look like something I could do myself, but it's good to see.
We shall see what ends up happening. I get attached to my cars, even though they're cheap. Must be objective.
Where are you as some kindly soul might help you outWe shall see what ends up happening. I get attached to my cars, even though they're cheap. Must be objective.
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